Photoshoot dogs

Two weekends ago I participated in (another) photoshoot. This time the models were dogs, three of them were pups. The weather was beautiful and the models (and their owners) were wonderful. Here a (very) small selection of the photos I took.

If you want to see all of them, sit back and watch the slide show (contains 85 photos):

Photoshoot

A few weeks ago I participated in another photoshoot, again with horses. This time only three lovely models. That day, it was VERY cold, windy and no sunshine - so it was a challenge to get nice pictures.

Here some results of the shoot, if you want to see all of them: follow this link and press >> (to get to the next picture).

And here you can see me 'in action' - I love to get close to my models ☺

Thanks for this picture, Jonne (www.jonnenabuurs.nl)!

I'm the one with the colorful gloves and 'elegant', knitted cap. 

Northern Lights

Last week we had a tour through the northern part of Norway: we visited TromsØ, then the boat (Hurtigruten) to the North Cape and finally we ended in Kirknes.
It was all so wonderful to see and we were lucky to see the Northern Lights! Of course we have done a husky safari and driving around on a snow scooter. We made a lot of pictures, we still have to sort them out, but here are the first few (all pictures: click to enlarge):

The North Cape

Northern Lights

Husky Safari

-14°C during daytime....

First photo shoot

As an 'artist' I think it is best to have your own reference material. So a friend of mine told me that participating in free photo shoots could be a good option to gather pictures of lovely animals. The idea is that the 'models' and photographers come together, both for free. Afterwards, all the 'models' receive some pictures (web format) of the shoot.

My first shoot was at a wonderful flowering moorland, and there were 12 lovely models. So sit back and relax and watch the slide show of the results.

Guest

This week we have another guest: meet Midnight. He is staying here for more than a week and I totally love him.

Guests

We have some guests!
Two cute guinea pigs, Saartje and Sonnetje (two ladies). A friend of mine is on holiday and I am happy to take care of these lovely animals for some time. We are teaching them to make that typical, whistling noise, guinea pigs are known for, when we gave them a treat: we rustle with a plastic bag before the treat is given. After three days, these girls are getting the hang of it ;)

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Saartje and Sonnetje (click to enlarge)

Back from the States!

We're back from the States!
We've had a wonderful holiday. It started in LA then driving up to (and through) Death Valley. Then to the Grand Canyon (small stop on the way at the Hoover Dam) and finally to Las Vegas.

The last week of our holidays we spent at my sister-in-law's and her husband's place - about an hour drive from New Orleans. It was so wonderful to see them again after a long time, it was hard to say goodbye when we had to go home.

When we've made our selection out of the est. 2.000 pictures we made, I will show you the best. For now, just the first pictures....

Click to enlarge

Grand Canyon

View on the fountains of the Bellagio Hotel

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

Wanted to post this yesterday but my body disappionted me so there was no time/energy to sit behind my computer yesterday.

Hope you all have had a wonderful Easter!

(photo: my hamster Sensa. Inspired by the annual photo-shoots by Martin Braak)

Butterfly

I visited the Orchid- and Butterfly Gardens this weekend. Made lots of photos, this is the most extraordinary butterfly I saw. After research on the internet, I found out it is called the 'Glasswing butterfly' - an appropriate name.

If you want to see more of the pictures I made during that day, follow this link and click [next].

Cold

It has been cold here, since a week. Temperatures drop under -20°C, very unusual for our country. And it will remain cold for a few more days.

But nature also gives beautiful things, when temperatures are so low.

Click to enlarge

Animal Wednesday and GiveAway

Last weekend the weather was so wonderful, that we went out for a walk to a nearby petting zoo. Made some pictures:

(click to enlarge)

And I want to tell you about a wonderful give away, by the great illustrator Shirley Ng Benitez. She really has a soft style and her characters are always so adorable. Go over to her blog and check out her give away!

Back to blogging - first some pictures

I haven't posted much lately, because of our holidays. We've been to Peru and the other free time we spent with friends, family and doing all kind of choress in and around the house we usually do not have (or make) time for. Mostly it was cleaning up the house and throwing away old and unused stuff.

Now life will return to normal and I'll have more time to blog again and to visit all your blogs. But first: the promised selection of pictures of Peru.

(if the slide show doesn't work, you can also directly go to my album) 

AW: little swallow

Last weekend, when we were baby-sitting my parents-in-law's dog, I went into the barn to see if the chicken had laid some fresh eggs. In a flash I saw something sitting on a shelf, next to me. I turned and it was a tiny, young swallow. He didn't go away, just sat there, watching me. I could come up very close with my camera while it's parents where flying and squeaking around my head. HAW!!

Click to enlarge

Drops

Just wanted to share this photo of a spiderweb, filled with waterdrops (when does summer start??)

Click to enlarge

AW: Spoonbill

Finally some time to post something for AW!!

Last weekend we went out for a walk. Near our home, there are waters and a swamp-like piece of nature. We saw a big bird in the water... it turned out to be a spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)! I've never seen one in 'the wild' here in the Netherlands, only in zoo's.

Click to enlarge

Springtime is coming!

Nature is getting ready... 

Below two pictures of the same tree. The first one taken last week, the second taken today. Just a few days and this tree will be blooming.

(Click on the photo to enlarge)